Mary in the News

CDT: Still’s victory caps her years in political circles

http://columbiatribune.com/2008/Nov/20081105News008.asp

Still rises to top in three-way House race

Still rises to top in three-way House race

By JASON ROSENBAUM of the Tribune's staff

Published Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Mary Still easily bested two Democratic primary opponents yesterday, sending the former communications aide for Attorney General Jay Nixon and former Gov. Bob Holden one step closer to the Missouri House.

Still, a Columbia resident, racked up 55 percent of all votes, which was greater than the combined tally for Sean Spence, who finished with 30.4 percent, and Bob Pund, who had 14.6 percent, in the 25th House District race.

In November, she will face Republican Ryan Asbridge, a law school graduate, sports coach and naval intelligence officer who was unopposed in the GOP primary.

Still emerged from the pack in what had become a high-profile campaign for the seat being vacated by Judy Baker, as all three candidates have been familiar faces inside the Missouri Capitol.

With almost no differences on policy issues among the three candidates, the race kept away from negative tactics. Some observers had expected that Spence and Still, who each have backgrounds in political communications, would rhetorically duke it out. Both said they were pleased the race stayed positive.

Still said she managed to get an edge with a dedicated core of volunteers, including former University of Missouri basketball player Willie Smith, who greeted voters yesterday at the Armory Sports & Community Center in downtown Columbia.

Spence engaged in an aggressive march to visit every home in the district, but Still also made her door-to-door path.

"Today when I was at the polls, so many people came up and introduced themselves and said, ‘Yes, you came to my door,' " Still said. "And that seems to be a key in a race this size."

After voting yesterday at Shepard Boulevard Elementary School, Susan Robison said yesterday she was most interested in the contest for the 25th District, which encompasses MU and downtown Columbia.

"She's a g

CDT: The 25th District Opting for experience

Sean Spence and Bob Pund are appealing newcomers, but for flat-out experience in state government from a variety of useful perspectives, nobody in the race for state representative from the 25th District comes close to Mary Still.

And, for what it’s worth, as the female in the race, she is the only candidate who can continue the legacy of strong, sharp women in this office, in the footsteps of Vicky Riback Wilson and Judy Baker. Indeed, she campaigns for her first term with stronger experience then either of those two eminently worthy predecessors had when they first sought the office.

First, an encouraging word about Still’s challengers.

I’ve watched a veritable army of candidates come and go, and I’m pressed to remember one who has run a more diligent campaign than Sean Spence. He might be earning a record for sheer activity. This is not a deciding qualification for office, but it means something, showing the kind of energy and attention Spence would bring to the office. He has experience as a political adviser and in private business. He is a reasonable choice for the office, but he would not bring Still’s rich store of experience in the actual system at hand.

Neither would Bob Pund. Paralyzed from the neck down, he is naturally concerned about health care and medical research issues but has informed himself much more broadly than that. He’s smart and able, considering his disability. We’ve learned from the service of Sen. Chuck Graham a person in a wheelchair can perform well in public office.

But Pund also suffers from inexperience compared with Mary Still, and in this race, this is an important factor.

Mary Still is a unique candidate because of her unusual perspective on government. She has worked for 30 years as a right-hand adviser to Gov. Bob Holden, University of Missouri Chancellor Richard Wallace and Attorney General Jay Nixon. Her job has been to interact with public officials, inform the public and advise her bosses on policy a

CDT Letter: Still has supported schools for years

As an educator and active member of Missouri National Education Association, I look for candidates who will support public education.Support of Missouri public schools is support for Missouri’s future.I have found such a supporter in Mary Still, running for the 25th District seat in the Missouri House of Representatives.

I have known Mary personally for many years, having taught her youngest daughter at Benton Elementary School. While at Benton, both Mary and her husband, Russ, served on the PTA.While Russ served on the Columbia Board of Education, Mary continued to mentor students at Benton as a Girl Scout leader for 10 years, volunteered within the community, worked first for Gov. Bob Holden as spokesperson, then worked as spokesperson for the University of Missouri and Attorney General Jay Nixon, all while balancing her role as mother and mentor.

I personally witnessed her advocate for not only Benton, but other schools in Columbia by providing information to Gov. Holden. Because of her commitment to public education, the Missouri National Education Association and the Missouri School Administrators have endorsed Mary Still.Mary’s enthusiasm and leadership skills will work not only for public schoolchildren and educators in the 25th, but for all Missourians!

I am proud togive my support to Mary Still.

CDT Letter: House candidate Mary Still has wealth of experience

As we get ready to cast our votes this year, it’s bracing to find a person who believes government exists to serve the common good. One such believer is Mary Still, who is running 25th District state representative. Mary brings a wealth of experience to the position. She served 13 years as communications director and policy adviser to Attorney General Jay Nixon; is a strong advocate for the University of Missouri, having been communications director of the MU News Bureau for eight years; has been deeply involved in Columbia Public Schools (her husband, Russ Still, was a member of the Columbia Board of Education); is a dedicated defender of the environment; and believes in balanced growth as a key to the future of Columbia.

Mary Still visits Benton-Stephens

Bookcases line the walls with Plato, Green Living and numerous copies of “Catch-22.” Bar stools, a couch and a couple of Adirondack chairs in the living room provide the background for an intimate setting of conversation and coffee sipping.

Located at the northeast corner of Windsor Street and Williams Street, a homemade sign is put in the yard on the first Saturday of each month to let the neighbors know the Benton-Stephens Neighborhood Coffee Shop is open for business. The quaint whitewashed house with green trim is easily visible and can be found across from the Lion-Stephens Park.

Big Muddy Politics: Still the Uniter

No U.S. President since 1948 has been able to achieve peace in the Middle East, but in only a couple of months since announcing for state representative, Mary Still has brought peace to mid-Missouri. If only for one night.

Big Muddy came across an invitation for a Still fundraiser for April 23 in Jefferson City. The fundraiser is being hosted by Chuck and Brenda Hatfield, Patrick Lynn and Dr. Becky Lynn, and Julie Gibson. As many readers know, these three are all leading advisors for Democratic attorney general candidates. Hatfield is with Koster, Lynn with Donnelly and Gibson with Harris.

Still announces 25th district House run

Mary Still gathered with around 100 friends and supporters at the Orr Street Art Studio on Monday to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day while officially beginning her campaign for state representative of Missouri’s 25th district.

Still Joins 25th District Race

Mary Still announced her candidacy Monday in front of a crowd of supporters at the Orr Street Art Gallery. Still is a long-time Columbia Native. She says her main campaign issues are the University of Missouri, healthcare and the economy. If elected Still says she plans to be a champion for MU.

"That's a part of the land-grant mission is to make college affordable to the sons and daughters of Missouri. So this needs to be a priority for our state to do that."

Is Still the One?

Mary Still, a former aide to Gov. Bob Holden and Attorney General Jay Nixon, kicked off her campaign for 25th District state representative today.

A number of political luminaries showed up the event at Orr Street Gallery in downtown Columbia. Included in the mix was Holden himself, as well as a number former city and state legislative officials.

Still announces run for state representative

Mary Still, a longtime Columbia resident and an advisor to Attorney General Jay Nixon, announced Monday through a news release that she will file for the 25th District State Representative seat.

Still family following the First Night 5K. Allie,left, Mary and Russ Center, Susannah, right.

Martin, Mary and Clint head out to visit with voters.